Comparison of the effects of autologous and non-autologous blood transfusions on the advantages, disadvantages, extubation time and bleeding after coronary bypass.

Purpose: Blood transfusion; is considered an organ transplant. In coronary bypass surgery, large volumes of homologous blood transfusion may be required due to excessive bleeding. The large number of use of homologous blood transfusion in open heart surgery and the awareness of its various harmful effects have prompted researchers to conduct research on the use of autologous blood. With autologous transfusion, blood diseases, incompatibility, immunosuppression and organ damage can be prevented and the patient can be extubated earlier in the postoperative period. Methods: Between January 2020 and January 2016, a total of 176 patients, 56 in the treatment group (with autologous blood transfusion) and 120 in the control group, whose information could be reached from hospital records were investigated retrospectively. Results: No statistical difference was found between the mean intubation SO2 and PO2 values of the groups. On the contrary, considering the mean intubation times in the intensive care unit of both groups, the patients who underwent autologous blood transfusion were extubated at a statistically significant earlier time. Conclusion: Autologous blood transfusion is a safe method in selected patients as well. Thanks to this method, patients are protected from complications associated with homologous blood transfusion. It is believed that performing autologous blood transfusion in selected patients undergoing open-heart surgery can decrease the number of postoperative transfusions, frequency of transfusion-related complications (especially in the lungs), and mean intubation times.

Clinical evaluation of two adult oxygenator systems in terms of mortality and major adverse events.

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of two oxygenator systems on major adverse events and mortality. METHODS: A total of 181 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the oxygenator used: Group M, in which a Medtronic Affinity (Medtronic Operational Headquarters, Minneapolis, MN, USA) oxygenator was used, and Group S, in which a Sorin Inspire (Sorin Group Italia, Mirandola, Italy) oxygenator was used. RESULTS: Group S consisted of 89 patients, whereas Group M included 92 patients. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of age (p = .112), weight (p = .465), body surface area (p = .956), or gender (p = .484). There was no statistically significant difference in hemorrhage on the first or second postoperative day (p = .318 and p = .455, respectively). No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of red blood cell (p = .468), fresh frozen plasma (p = .116), or platelet concentrate transfusion (p = .212). Infections, wound complications, and delayed sternal closure were significantly more common in Group M (p = .006, p = .023, and p = .019, respectively). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenators and intra-aortic balloon pumps were required significantly more frequently in Group S (p = .025 and p = .013, respectively). Major adverse events occurred in 16 (18%) patients in Group S and 14 (15.2%) patients in Group M (p = .382). Mortality was observed in six (6.7%) patients in Group S and three (3.3%) patients in Group M (p = .232). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of length of hospital stay (p = .451). CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of the two oxygenator systems, including mortality, major adverse events, hemorrhage, erythrocyte and platelet transfusions, and length of hospital stay, were similar.

Myocardial Protection in Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Del Nido versus Blood Cardioplegia.

INTRODUCTION: Our study aimed to examine the impacts of blood cardioplegia (BC) and del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) solutions - which we used in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) - on early mortality and major adverse events (MAE). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 329 consecutive patients who underwent CABG in our clinic between January 2016 and January 2020. Myocardial infarction, reoperation, cardiac tamponade, stroke, renal failure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation requirement, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were defined as MAE. The group in which DNC was used was Group D (181 [55%] patients), and the group in which BC was used was Group B (141 [45%] patients). RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups regarding age, weight, body surface area, gender, or European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score (P=0.615, P=0.560, P=0.934, P=0.365, P=0.955, respectively). Although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of aortic cross-clamping time (P=0.712), cardiopulmonary bypass duration was longer in Group B (P=0.001). Even though the incidence of stroke was higher in Group B (P=0.030), no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups regarding total incidence of MAE, mortality, mechanical ventilation time, length of stay in the intensive care unit, or length of hospital stay (P=0.153, P=0.130, P=0.689, P=0.710, P=0.613, respectively). CONCLUSION: We found no significant difference in MAE, mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, or hospital stay between the DNC and BC groups. We believe that both solutions can be used safely for cardiac protection in the adult patient population.

The role of alpha-1-antitrypsin in the etiopathogenesis of chronic venous disease: A prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to examine whether alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), an inhibitor of leukocyte esterase(LE), which damages the venous vessel wall, has a protective effect against chronic venous disease(CVD), and to examine the relationship between AAT levels and disease severity. METHODS: Patients admitted with varicose vein disease and having reflux flow lasting longer than 0.5 s as determined by Doppler ultrasound were included. The informed consents were taken, and blood samples were obtained for complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and AAT level following anamnesis and physical examination. Clinical Etiologic Anatomic Pathologic (CEAP) classification was used to assess disease severity, and patients were divided into CEAP 1-5 groups accordingly. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients were included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in body weight, red blood cell counts, platelet counts, or neutrophil counts (p = 0.117, p = 0.932, p = 0.177, and p = 0.177, respectively).CRP and AAT levels were higher in patients with a CEAP clinical score of 5 compared to the other groups (p = 0.018, and p = 0.020, respectively). AAT levels were similar in the CEAP 1-3 group and decreased in the CEAP-4 group but increased again in the CEAP-5 group. The AAT level was 1.62 ± 0.3 g/L in the CEAP-1 group, 1.61 ± 0.21 g/L in the CEAP-2 group, 1.61 ± 0.27 g/L in the CEAP-3 group, 1.48 ± 0.28 g/L in the CEAP-4 group, and 1.94 ± 0.39 g/L in the CEAP-5 group. CRP levels and platelet counts were observed to affect AAT levels (p = 0.10, p = 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSION: We believe that our hypothesis that low AAT levels play a role in the etiopathogenesis of CVD has been partially validated, at least in the CEAP-4 group. However, we believe that increased AAT levels in the CEAP-5 group may be a reactive increase in increased LE levels due to higher CRP levels of this group.

Effect of Aortic Cross-Clamping Time on Development of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Isolated CABG: A Single-Center Prospective Clinical Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Many etiological factors affect the occurrence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting. In this study, the relationship between cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamping times and the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation was examined. Methods: All patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with the same surgical team in our clinic between September 2018 and December 2019 were prospectively included in the study, and their perioperative data were recorded. Results: One hundred and three patients who met the specified criteria were included in the study. The median age was 62 (interquartile range: 54-71) years, and 82 (79.6%) were male. The patients were divided into two groups: those who developed atrial fibrillation and those who did not. Atrial fibrillation developed in 25 of 103 patients (24.3%). All patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting under standard cardiopulmonary bypass. The median duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 72 (interquartile range: 63-97) minutes in those with atrial fibrillation and 82 (61-98) minutes in those without it, and there was no statistical difference (P=0.717). The median cross-clamping time was 40 (32.5-48) minutes in those with atrial fibrillation and 39.5 (30-46) minutes in those without it. Statistically, the relationship between cross-clamping time and atrial fibrillation was not significant (P=0.625). Conclusion: Our study found no significant relationship between cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamping times and the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. However, we believe that there is a need for large-scale and multicenter clinical studies on the subject.

Cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies in patients with acute arterial occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies in patients who were operated for acute arterial occlusion. METHODS: Between March 2010 and March 2018, a total of 120 patients who underwent surgical treatment for acute arterial occlusion were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: 84 (70%) and 27 (22. 5%) of the patients had cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies, respectively. In 9 (7. 5%) of the cases, no reason for arterial occlusion could be found. Pure atrial fibrillation was found in 39 (32. 5%) patients. Atrial fibrillation and cardiac valvular pathologies were detected in 45 patients (37. 5%). Among those with a cardiac valvular pathology, 9 patients (7. 5%) had pure mitral stenosis, 21 patients (17. 5%) had moderate to advanced mitral stenosis with tricuspid regurgitation, 9 patients (7. 5%) had 20-30 mitral regurgitation with 30 tricuspid regurgitation, 3 patients (2. 5%) had moderate mitral stenosis, 30-40 tricuspid regurgitation and 20-30 aortic stenosis, and 3 patients (2. 5%) had 30 mitral regurgitation, 10- 20 tricuspid regurgitation, calcific moderate aortic stenosis, and coronary artery disease. Among those 27 patients with an extra-cardiac pathology, 21 patients (22. 5%) had peripheral artery disease, 3 patients (2.5%) had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and 3 patients (2. 5%) had Behçet's Disease. CONCLUSION: Cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies should be kept in mind in patients with acute arterial occlusion. Thus, detected pathologies could be treated, and the development of additional peripheral emboli could be prevented.

Cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies in patients with acute arterial occlusion

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies in patients who were operated for acute arterial occlusion. METHODS: Between March 2010 and March 2018, a total of 120 patients who underwent surgical treatment for acute arterial occlusion were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: 84 (70%) and 27 (22. 5%) of the patients had cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies, respectively. In 9 (7. 5%) of the cases, no reason for arterial occlusion could be found. Pure atrial fibrillation was found in 39 (32. 5%) patients. Atrial fibrillation and cardiac valvular pathologies were detected in 45 patients (37. 5%). Among those with a cardiac valvular pathology, 9 patients (7. 5%) had pure mitral stenosis, 21 patients (17. 5%) had moderate to advanced mitral stenosis with tricuspid regurgitation, 9 patients (7. 5%) had 20-30 mitral regurgitation with 30 tricuspid regurgitation, 3 patients (2. 5%) had moderate mitral stenosis, 30-40 tricuspid regurgitation and 20-30 aortic stenosis, and 3 patients (2. 5%) had 30 mitral regurgitation, 10- 20 tricuspid regurgitation, calcific moderate aortic stenosis, and coronary artery disease. Among those 27 patients with an extra-cardiac pathology, 21 patients (22. 5%) had peripheral artery disease, 3 patients (2.5%) had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and 3 patients (2. 5%) had Behçet's Disease. CONCLUSION: Cardiac and extra-cardiac pathologies should be kept in mind in patients with acute arterial occlusion. Thus, detected pathologies could be treated, and the development of additional peripheral emboli could be prevented.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo é investigar patologias cardíacas e extracardíacas em pacientes operados por oclusão arterial aguda. MÉTODOS: Entre março de 2010 e março de 2018, um total de 120 pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico para oclusão arterial aguda foram incluídos neste estudo retrospectivo. RESULTADOS: Dos pacientes incluídos, 84 (70%) e 27 (22.5%) apresentavam, respectivamente, patologias cardíacas e extracardíacas. Em 9 (7.5%) dos casos, nenhuma cause para a oclusão arterial foi encontrada. Fibrilação atrial isolada foi encontrada em 39 (32.5%) pacientes. Fibrilação atrial e valvopatias cardíacas foram detectadas em 45 pacientes (37.5%). Entre aqueles com valvopatias cardíacas, 9 (7.5%) tinham estenose mitral isolada, 21 (17. 5%) tinham estenose mitral moderada a avançada com regurgitação tricúspide, 9 (7. 5%) tinham 2°-3° de regurgitação mitral com 3o regurgitação tricúspide, 3 (2. 5%) tinham estenose mitral moderada, 3°-4° regurgitação tricúspide e 2°-3° estenose aórtica, e 3 (2.5%) tinham 3o mitral, 1°- 2° regurgitação tricúspide moderada, estenose aórtica moderada calcificada e doença coronariana. Entre os 27 pacientes com patologia extracardíaca, 21 (22.5%) tinham doença arterial periférica, 3 (2,5%) tinham aneurisma da aorta abdominal, e 3 (2.5%) tinham Doença de Behçet. CONCLUSÃO: Patologias cardíacas e extracardíacas devem ser consideradas em pacientes com oclusão arterial aguda. Assim, patologias detectadas podem ser tratadas e o desenvolvimento de trombos periféricos adicionais pode ser evitado.

A rare cause of healthcare-associated infective endocarditis: Enterobacter cloacae.

We report a case of infective endocarditis secondary to healthcare-associated bloodstream infection caused by an uncommon etiologic agent, multidrug-resistant Enterobacter cloacae. The patient was treated with a combination of antimicrobial therapy and surgery, but could not be saved. With this case, we discuss the prevalence, risk factors, treatment options, and outcomes of the rarely encountered Enterobacter cloacae-associated infective endocarditis.

More Successful Results with Less Energy in Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment: Long-term Comparison of Bare-tip Fiber 980 nm Laser and Radial-tip Fiber 1470 nm Laser Application.

BACKGROUND: Varices and venous insufficiency are common and serious health problems in the general population which affect the quality of life. Endothermal treatment of the great saphenous vein has become the first line of treatment for superficial venous reflux, and the endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) method has been widely accepted all over the world. In this method, ablation is provided by a laser fiber inserted into the lumen of the vein. Initially, the fibers were 810 nm, but today the fibers are usually 940, 980, or 1470 nm. METHODS: The study included 400 patients (419 procedures) who were diagnosed with venous insufficiency and underwent 980 and 1470 nm EVLA. Patients were followed up for 48 months. A 980-nm bare-tip laser catheter in Group A and a 1470-nm radial-tip laser catheter in Group B were inserted until they were 2 cm below the saphenofemoral junction. An EVLA catheter was drawn slowly at the rate of 1-3 cm/sec (2.08 ± 0.6). The energy applied to the saphenous vein was 60-120 J/cm (84.65 ± 13.03) and 45-120 J/cm (76.95 ± 15.06) in Group A and Group B, respectively (P < 0.001), with 15 W in the continuous mode. Follow-up visits included a physical examination and Doppler ultrasonography performed at the following time points: day 1, week 1, and months 1, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48. Saphenous vein occlusion rates and postprocedure saphenous vein diameters were evaluated at each follow-up visit. Pain levels were evaluated using the Wong-Baker FACES® pain scale (0-10). Postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Group A (980 nm laser) consisted of 200 patients with a mean age of 37.84 ± 12.2 years. Group B (1470 nm laser) consisted of 200 patients with a mean age of 38.38 ± 12.1 years. The mean duration of the procedure was 32.2 ± 9.7 min in Group A and 31.7 ± 8.8 min in Group B, respectively (P = 0.47). Induration, ecchymosis, and paresthesia rates were significantly higher in the bare-tip laser group. The most important complication, deep vein thrombosis, was observed in 4 patients in Group A. Recanalization rates were found to be increased by prolonged follow-up periods. At the 48-month follow-up, this rate was 15.9% in Group A and 8.3% in Group B (P = 0.017). This rate showed that the 1470-nm wavelength laser treatment was more successful in Group B than in Group A over the long term. CONCLUSIONS: Both the 980 and 1470 nm wavelength laser-assisted EVLA procedures appear to be effective in treating saphenous vein insufficiency. The 1470-nm radial-tip fiber is preferred due to lower energy levels, lower complication rates, early return to daily life, and the successful long-term occlusion rate.

N-butyl cyanoacrylate in the treatment of venous insufficiency--the effect of embolisation with ablative polymerisation.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this multicentre prospective observational study was to evaluate the early results of a new non-thermal embolisation method using N-butyl cyanoacrylate in venous insufficiency. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 181 patients with a varicose vein diagnosis were treated with the VariClose: Vein Sealing Systems at four different centres. The protocol included physical and colour Doppler ultrasonography examination, venous clinical severity score and quality of life assessment before and after the procedure on days 1 and 7 and at months 1, 3 and 6. Clinical recovery was evaluated by comparing the venous clinical severity score and the quality of life assessment before and after the procedure. RESULTS: In total, 215 embolisation procedures were successfully completed on 181 patients (110 female) with a mean age of 37.6 ± 13.2 years (range 18-72 years). The 215 procedures consisted of 25 bilateral applications on 206 great saphenous veins and 9 small saphenous veins. The average pre-interventional diameter of great saphenous veins was 6.5 ± 1.4 mm (4.3-14 mm), and the mean diameter of small saphenous veins was 5.2 ± 1.3 mm (3.8-8.6 mm). The average length of the sealed vein segments was 31.6 ± 6.1 cm (23-70 cm), and the average N-butyl cyanoacrylate usage for the patient was 0.9 ml (0.7-2.1 ml). The procedural occlusion rate was 100%. Post-operative pain was observed in 11 patients (6.1%), and thrombophlebitis was observed in 1 patient (0.5%). No total recanalisation was observed. Five (2.7%) partial recanalisations were observed at the 6 month follow-up. The 6 month total occlusion rate was 97.2%. CONCLUSIONS: This new tumescent-free non-thermal embolisation method can be applied safely with high success rates.

Indwelling hemodialysis catheterization by transthoracic way.

Chronic kidney failure can be described as a chronic and progressive disfunction in metabolic-endocrine function and in adjustment of fluid-electrolyte balance of kidney, as a result of reducing of glomerular filtration value. Besides being a medical issue, chronic kidney failure affects social, economic, and psychological conditions of patients. Indwelling catheters can be placed in the right atrium by right mini thoracotomy in kidney patients who depend on dialysis and all central veins are used. In the patients whose central veins were used, were able to do catheterization by this technique, and this is a procedure that must be retentioned.

Acute Mitral Valve Dysfunction Due to Escape of Prosthetic Mechanical Leaflet and Peripheral Leaftlet Embolization.

BACKGROUND: Leaflet escape of prosthetic valve is rare but potentially life threatening. Early diagnosis is essential on account of avoiding mortality, and emergency surgical correction is compulsory. This complication has previously been reported for both monoleaflet and bileaflet valve models. METHODS: A 30-year-old man who had undergone mitral valve replacement with a bileaflet valve 8 years prior at another center was admitted with acute-onset with cardiogenic shock as an emergency case. Transthoracic echocardiograms showed acute-starting severe mitral regurgitation associated with prosthetic mitral valve. There was a suspicious finding of a single prosthetic mitral leaflet. But the problem related with the valve wasn't specifically determined. The patient underwent emergent surgery for replacement of the damaged prosthetic valves immediately. There was no tissue impingement and thrombosis, one of the two leaflets was absent, and there were no signs of endocarditis or pannus formation in the prosthetic valve. The missing leaflet could not be found within the cardiac cavity. The abdominal fluoroscopic study and plain radiography were unable to detect the escaped leaflet during surgery. The damaged valve was removed and a replacement 29 mm bileaflet mechanical valve was inserted by right lateral thoracotomy. RESULTS: After post-operative week one, the abdominal computed tomography scan and the ultrasound showed the escaped leaflet in the left femoral artery. Fifteen days after the surgery the escaped leaflet was removed safely from the left femoral artery and the patient made a complete recovery. CONCLUSION: The escaped leaflet showed a fracture of one of the pivot systems caused by structural failure. Early cardiac surgery should be applied because of life-threatening problems.